Story Highlights

The finalists take the stage tonight, and for all their faults — a weak crop of boys, a weakness for ballads — they should remind you why Idol, for all its faults, remains the best of the TV talent shows. For one, unlike for long stretches on The Voice, they'll actually be allowed to stand out on their own and put their stamp on a song, without being forced into some ridiculous duet battle that only serves to prove who can over-sing the most. For another, unlike on The Voice and X-Factor, the judges can state their opinions without passing them through some phony "team" overlay. As for those judges, you get to watch one of TV's most likable in Keith Urban and its most entertaining and direct in Nicki Minaj. Though for civility's sake, Ms. Minaj, we are going to have to insist that you stop checking your phone while Ryan Seacrest is talking, understandable as the temptation may be.

Outside of Idol, your new broadcast pickings are slim. So you may be willing to try Whitney, which boasts a guest shot by Breaking Bad's Dean Norris.

The Americans | FX, 10 ET/PT

Does any TV producer have a hotter hand at the moment than Graham Yost? His FX hit Justified is barreling through a terrific change-of-pace season, while his new show The Americans seems to get tenser each week. Tonight, Elizabeth and Philip's already-frail fake marriage gets put to another test, as Philip reconnects with an old flame. Careful, Phil: As Claudia found out last week, messing with Elizabeth isn't wise.